Roger Dodger (film)

Infobox Film
name = Roger Dodger
caption = US DVD cover
director = Dylan Kidd
producer = Campbell Scott
writer = Dylan Kidd
starring = Campbell Scott
Jesse Eisenberg
Isabella Rosselini
Elizabeth Berkley
Jennifer Beals
music = Craig Wedren
cinematography = Joaquin Baca-Asay
editing = Andy Keir
distributor = Artisan Entertainment
released = May 9, 2002 (Tribeca Film Festival)
October 25, 2002
runtime = 106 min.
country = flagicon|United States
language = English
budget = $21 million
gross = $47,431
website = http://www.allianceatlantisfilms.com/Synopsis.asp?TitleID=63199
amg_id = 1:263749
imdb_id = 0299117

"Roger Dodger" is a 2002 comedy noir that explores the relationship between men, women, and sex. Directed by Dylan Kidd and starring Campbell Scott and Jesse Eisenberg, the movie follows Roger Swanson (Scott) and his nephew (Eisenberg) during a night on the town in search of sex.

Plot

After cynical New York advertising copywriter Roger Swanson (Campbell Scott) is dumped by his on-again/off-again girlfriend, Joyce (Isabella Rossellini)—who is also his boss—his painful workday is further complicated by the unexpected arrival of his 16-year-old nephew, Nick (Jesse Eisenberg). After asking to spend the night at Roger's, Nick reveals that he has come to ask for help—in hopes of ditching his virginal status, Nick begs Roger for a lesson in the art of seduction. Embittered Roger then takes on the role of a nocturnal drill sergeant in an imaginary war between the sexes, starting Nick's training at an upscale singles bar. There, they meet two beautiful women (Jennifer Beals and Elizabeth Berkley) who turn out to be less malleable than Roger expects.

Although this first attempt to seduce women is unsuccessful, Nick chooses to continue the quest, which takes them to Roger's boss's party. There they find Joyce's secretary drunk and attempt to capitalize. But, once in the bedroom Nick's conscience gets the better of him and he allows her to simply fall asleep untouched.

With Roger spinning out of control and Nick's window of opportunity closing rapidly, they agree to go with the "Fail Safe" plan. This turns out to be an underground brothel. At the underground location Roger cannot let Nick lose his virginity in such an emotionally barren atmosphere, and drags him back to his apartment to sleep things off. Roger has failed to introduce to the mysteries of the world, but has perhaps, gained a glimmer of a conscience. Nick travels back to his mother but Roger shows up unexpectedly to tutor Nick and his classmates on their home turf, bonding with the younger man in a more potent way, in an atmosphere populated by pre-adolescent peers.

It is teased at the movie's closing scenes that Roger is beginning to second-guess his way of life with one-night-stands and uncommited relationships, and that Nick gained a measure of self-confidence from their time together.

Cast

*Campbell Scott as Roger Swanson
*Jesse Eisenberg as Nick
*Isabella Rossellini as Joyce
*Elizabeth Berkley as Andrea
*Jennifer Beals as Sophie

Reception

The movie was not a major commercial success, but was critically well-received, winning multiple awards in 2002 and 2003. It also served as the coming-out for Jesse Eisenberg, who was widely acclaimed for his conflicted performance.

On the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, 87% of critics gave the film positive reviews, based on 119 reviews. [cite web|url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/roger_dodger/ |title=Roger Dodger - Rotten Tomatoes |accessdate=2007-10-01 |publisher=Rotten Tomatoes] On Metacritic, the film had an average score of 75 out of 100, based on 33 reviews. [cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/video/titles/rogerdodger |title=Roger Dodger (2002): Reviews |accessdate=2007-10-01 |publisher=Metacritic]

References

External links

* [http://www.allianceatlantisfilms.com/Synopsis.asp?TitleID=63199 Official site]
*imdb title|id=0299117|title=Roger Dodger
*rotten-tomatoes|id=roger_dodger|title=Roger Dodger
*metacritic film|id=rogerdodger|title=Roger Dodger
*mojo title|id=rogerdodger|title=Roger Dodger
*amg movie|id=1:263749|title=Roger Dodger